2003 Acura MDX Acura MDX 2003

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2003 Acura MDX repairs by problem area

Engine (23%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (18%)

Brakes and Traction Control (1%)

Suspension and Steering (19%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (32%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (3%)

Other (3%)

Chart based on 150 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2003 Acura MDX.

2003 Acura MDX repair cost distribution

$2500+ (8%)

$1000 - $2499 (10%)

$500 - $999 (20%)

$100 - $499 (32%)

< $100 (30%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 115 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2003 Acura MDX

Engine not specified

Acura MDX in Virginia, United States
Dec 2011 - Dec 2012
Jun 2012

93000 mi

US $1000
Rear A/C stopped working 
Acura MDX in North Carolina, United States
Nov 2007 - Mar 2010
Dec 2007

70000 mi

US $100
Starter was whining on startup and was replaced under extended warranty. 
Acura MDX in Ontario, Canada
Oct 2014 - Oct 2014
Oct 2014

148800 mi

C $140
O-ring issue on Power Steering Pump 

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2003 Acura MDX 4dr SUV

260-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed automatic AWD

Acura MDX in Ontario, Canada
Sep 2013 - Apr 2014
Sep 2013

190960 mi

C $500
Alternator seized 
Apr 2014

198400 mi

C $100
Compressor seized 
Acura MDX in California, United States
Aug 2013 - Jun 2018
Jan 2015

161800 mi

US $5000
Internal failure caused transmission to go out.  Replacing radiator. Reprogramming PCM. 
Acura MDX in British Columbia, Canada
Dec 2013 - Dec 2017
Dec 2013

128340 mi
Read from the MDX forum about the transmission failure due to radiator coolant leaks into the transmission and found those tubing fittings are corroded. Replaced the radiator. 
Jun 2014

133920 mi
replaced parking cable, rubber insulation worn out.during the winter, parking brake stucked. isolate and cut the cable, parking brake shoe released. 
Jul 2014

137020 mi
TRANSMISSION slipping twice while running at 5-10 kph. I have to move to D4 and return to D5. 
Apr 2016

147860 mi
oxygen sensor 
May 2016

148800 mi

C $275
Engine lights and followed by VTM4 Light turns on. reset. after 1 week came back. code P2251 - Rear Air/Fuel Ratio (A/F) Sensor. Replaced oxygen sensor. 
Aug 2016

151020 mi
1 Oct 2017 - the car randomly the transmission disengage at a very low speed, right away will shift the transmission at D1/D2 to engaged. No fix yet/no solution would get from shop. "I make a right turn the car stops accelerating. The engine is still running but the car doesn't go, stop the car and it will move again." Went to Transmission specialist, they diagnost but didn't find any. July 2017: TRANSMISSION random slippage at slower speed (5-10 kph.) I shift to D4 (slipped), Next slippage, I shift to D3(slipped). Every time transmission slips at the middle of the road, right away I shift to D2 or D1 (no slippage at slower speed) and it engaged. After that, shift back to high speed gear. My assumption it could be the module??? The car runs great as long you are not at slower speed (D1, D2 range). 
Acura MDX in California, United States
Dec 2013 - Dec 2017
Dec 2013

135000 mi

US $3000
The transmission engagement discs were more than 80% wear, we paid a shop, non-dealer, to rebuild entire transmission. 
Acura MDX in Oregon, United States
Jan 2014 - Mar 2015
Feb 2014

121700 mi

US $469
Noise from steering when temps were cold. Power steering pump replaced. 
Jan 2015

US $164
Hood struts no longer held hood up and so were replaced. 
Acura MDX in New Jersey, United States
Jan 2013 - Apr 2017
Jul 2013

135300 mi
Acura shifter recall, able to remove key w/o shifter in park.  Dealer said front bushings needed repair@$400 plus. Per my non-dealer mechanic, "bushings and suspension perfect".1 front tire was replaced due to blow out yr ago. Sleezy dealer. Acura Denville,NJ. 
Acura MDX in Iowa, United States
Jan 2013 - Jun 2013
Jun 2013

72000 mi

US $250
Replaced a/c compressor and thermal fuse for rear a/c controls/blower 
Acura MDX in Manitoba, Canada
Apr 2012 - Nov 2016
Jun 2012

77500 mi

C $750
Worn out front struts (leaking) and rear struts, showing signs of leaking...ride became rigid, and rougher than normal in recent months 
Nov 2016

115940 mi
Rear springs and brakes pads all around ( were original) fronts needed rotors also. 
Acura MDX in Florida, United States
Apr 2008 - Jun 2018
Jan 2008

80000 mi
Rear ac fan not working. Bought 2 fuses for 1 dollar and re-soldered myself per MDxers.org forum. Cost at dealership $500. 
Jan 2010

100000 mi
Replaced power steering pump. "whined" for about a year before replacing when changing out the timing belt and water pump. No problems ever noticed with actual steering, just the noise. 
Jun 2010

110000 mi
Radiator had a hole in it. Replaced. $500 
Apr 2012

100000 mi

US $250
Replaced power steering pump. "whined" for about a year before replacing when changing out the timing belt. No problems ever noticed with actual steering, just the noise. Rear dole light does not work. Bulbs not the problem. Sometimes hard to start. Battery and starter not the problem. Turns over but will not crank. Kept trying to start and finally cranked. Has happened 3 times over 4 years. Rear ac fan not working. Bought 2 fuses for 1 dollar and re-soldered myself per MDxers.org forum. Cost at dealership $500. Radiator had a hole in it. Replaced motor mounts. Front mount was broken. No problems noticed, found by 2 different mechanics, finally replaced just because. Weird noise at 45-50 mph and a little vibration. 
May 2012

132000 mi
Broken wire in rubber boot that connects door to vehicle. Broken wire in rubber boot that connects door to vehicle. 
May 2013

146100 mi

US $100
Oil pan seal 
Nov 2013

153000 mi
Bad compressor 
Mar 2014

154000 mi

US $1000
Replaced compressor and ac parts. 
Sep 2014

158000 mi
starter started to go Replaced oil pan seal. Was done about a year ago but still leaked. Mechanic who replaced it last time saw it and replaced on his own when he saw it. Looks like it is still leaking. Navigation screen says check disk and won't boot up. 
Dec 2015

171000 mi

US $50
Broken wires in Left Rear rubber boot on hatch door. Rear hatch locks were inop. RR window motor 
Acura MDX in Colorado, United States
Apr 2012 - Jul 2022
Nov 2015

89000 mi

US $110
battery died last, acura battery put in 2010. 
Acura MDX in Texas, United States
Aug 2011 - Jan 2013
Sep 2012

139000 mi

US $500
Air conditioner blower motor needed to be replaced. 
Acura MDX in Texas, United States
Sep 2014 - Dec 2017
Dec 2017

160000 mi

US $600
high pressure power steering hose leaning, replaced 
Acura MDX in New York, United States
Apr 2014 - Oct 2014
May 2014

114000 mi

US $250
rebuilt transmission Catalytic converter and oxygen sensors replaced; error code P4020 
Sep 2014

119000 mi

US $250
Replaced steering joint B. Part Number: 53323-S50-003 
Acura MDX in New Jersey, United States
Sep 2015 - Sep 2016
Sep 2016

152000 mi

US $2000
worn front tie-rod worn sway bar CV joint grease coming out. replaced as a preventative measure. Engine mount (Front and side) 
Acura MDX in Oregon, United States
Feb 2016 - Apr 2022
Mar 2016

175000 mi

US $950
Struts, Tie rod ends, front end alignment 
Jan 2017

US $500
Left side stabilizer worn -replaced both left and right side parts 
Jul 2017

195000 mi

US $1000
A/C stopped working compressor failure 
Jan 2022

222000 mi

US $700
REPLACE DEFECTIVE ALTERNATOR 
Apr 2022

240000 mi

US $150
Transmission fluid mixed with coolant - failed transmission - Car donated 
Acura MDX in Colorado, United States
Oct 2016 - Dec 2016
Dec 2016

171000 mi

US $850
Cracked axel replaced 
Acura MDX in New York, United States
- Feb 2007
Jul 2005

30000 mi
replace passenger side speaker. 
Jun 2006

49000 mi
fix steeling wheel controls. 
Feb 2007

54200 mi

US $25
replace light bulb in gear shift control. 
Acura MDX in Texas, United States
- Jun 2009
Jun 2008

68000 mi

US $1900
Engine mounts, alternator 
Jun 2009

86000 mi

US $1900
Rear air conditioner resistor, Drivers seat switch and motor 
Acura MDX in Florida, United States
Sep 2015 - Sep 2016
Oct 2015

223000 mi
Engine Light comes on and stays on for days then for no reason will go off. 
Aug 2016

287000 mi

US $418
The high pressure line from the radiator to cool the Transmission pulled out. Had to replace radiator and line. When it failed it quickly lost all gears. Had to be towed. 
Acura MDX in Colorado, United States
Jun 2015 - Mar 2016
Aug 2015

171300 mi

US $25
Replaced both door lock actuators on the driver's side. Time to repair was longer than a professional mechanic because I did it myself. 
Acura MDX in Washington, United States
Aug 2014 - Sep 2017
May 2015

83000 mi

US $250
A bar holding the sway bar in place broke on the front drivers side. We replaced both sides. 
Acura MDX in California, United States
Nov 2011 - Dec 2011
Dec 2011

72000 mi

US $140
dealer stated car needs entire new rack and pinion and all hoses (13!) replaced. 
Acura MDX in Washington, United States
Nov 2014 - Dec 2014
Dec 2014

124000 mi
Periodic Transmission shutter for the past 30000 miles. I did not trust vehicle for any long trips. This year MDX he's a history of torque converter/transmission troubles. Repairs were over half the vehicle value. 
Acura MDX in Tennessee, United States
Dec 2014 - Dec 2014
Dec 2014

187000 mi
Transmission leak 
Acura MDX in Connecticut, United States
Sep 2006 - Oct 2011
Jun 2006

57000 mi
Replaced transmission 
Nov 2008

85000 mi

US $550
Vent sliders broke rear heat not working 
Dec 2010

120000 mi

US $2500
Bad transmission. Replaced with rebuilt 
Acura MDX in North Carolina, United States
Nov 2011 - Aug 2012
Dec 2011

104000 mi
car makes dragging sound when accelerating and then rpm don't match speed driving. making dragging noise 
Acura MDX in British Columbia, Canada
Nov 2008 - Dec 2011
Dec 2008

83700 mi
Rattle at the right rear wheel. Bought new sway bar bushing and sway bar link to be installed next week. 
Jul 2009

88660 mi
stop the noise. right rear sway bar was worn out. replace the left rear swaybar as well. When parking the car (leaving the car - or unloading) and or about to run the car there is a  
Oct 2009

90200 mi
Left front swaybar link. 
May 2010

95341 mi
Replaced both front strut, both rear shock absorber,front-left sway bar link only and the front sway bar bushing. test-run after installing them. the X runs great and feel the difference how the suspension work and no more squeaks, rattle Replaced both front strut, both rear shock absorber,front-left sway bar link only and the front sway bar bushing. test-run after installing them. the X runs great and feel the difference how the suspension work and no more squeaks, rattle 
Sep 2011

107260 mi
noise when shifting to parking/drive,test run-shift to Drive and press the gas (foot on the brake) engine vibrating beyond the normal vibration when running. remove the engine mount passenger and front they broken. order parts as of Oct 10. 
Acura MDX in New Hampshire, United States
Feb 2008 - Dec 2014
May 2013

170000 mi

US $500
Replaced alternator due to noisy bearings about to fail. 
Mar 2014

180000 mi

US $180
Accessory belt and tensioner 
Acura MDX in Ohio, United States
Jun 2009 - Mar 2016
Jan 2009

78500 mi
stereo had blown channel and cd changer quit working - repaired under extended warranty 
Jul 2009

79000 mi

US $50
cd changer not operable 
Sep 2011

134000 mi

US $2800
Had transmission rebuilt by 3rd party repair shop. Received better warranty than dealer 3yr/50k on rebuild and cost less than dealer. 
Feb 2012

140000 mi

US $100
steering developed leak, pump empty. tightened hoses and refilled pump. May need to replace pump, not sure yet. 
Feb 2014

178600 mi

US $200
oosing lots of power steering fluid 
Dec 2014

195000 mi

US $175
replaced driver side headlight valve adjustment, several sensors were reporting faulty ignition. 
Apr 2015

197300 mi

US $125
hose leak, had to replace 
Acura MDX in Kansas, United States
May 2009 - Jul 2020
Apr 2014

195500 mi

US $450
Had to replace two engine mounts that were worn. 
Jun 2014

198000 mi

US $250
Plastic panel that holds front seat power controls was cracked and non-repairable. Had to purchase OEM parts from Acura as there were no after-market parts available. 
Jun 2016

222000 mi

US $500
PCM module failed and had to be replaced. 
Acura MDX in California, United States
Sep 2011 - Jul 2015
Dec 2013

158000 mi

US $1800
Power steering and rack & pinions 
Acura MDX in Connecticut, United States
Feb 2008 - Dec 2016
Nov 2008

82000 mi
Engine mount cracked. 
May 2009

89000 mi

US $500
Engine mount replaced. 
Sep 2010

117000 mi

US $1000
replace front compliance bushings 
Jan 2014

177200 mi

US $200
Replace water pump 
Apr 2014

183200 mi

US $150
Both fog lights and both headlights replaced with new bulbs 
Dec 2016

240000 mi
the car does not move 
Acura MDX in Illinois, United States
Nov 2007 - Aug 2014
Sep 2008

61000 mi

US $575
Drive belt and drive belt tensor were replaced. When belt would get wet, belt would slip. No power steering. Battery light came on as well as belt also drives alternator. 2nd row fan that powers the AC/Heat did not work. 
Acura MDX in Colorado, United States
Nov 2007 - Mar 2008
Dec 2007

73000 mi

US $312
O2 sensor went South. SEL came on pointing to problem sensor. 
Acura MDX in New Jersey, United States
Nov 2007 - Sep 2012
Sep 2008

49000 mi
Starter motor was causing problems. Backup Camera was problematic. Replaced backup camera, which was ordered on previous trip 
Sep 2009

55000 mi

US $110
Transmission torque converter replaced. 
Oct 2009

55000 mi
exhaust bracket and plate loose 
Jan 2012

US $1600
Transmission fluid leak as a result of radiator issues. Transmission plug leaking. Ultimately, dealer says that transmission is shot and needs to be replaced. 
Acura MDX in Virginia, United States
Jun 2014 - Jun 2015
Mar 2015

162000 mi

US $150
Power steering fluid leaking. 
Acura MDX in California, United States
Nov 2006 - Oct 2015
Mar 2006

39000 mi
Transmission replacement 
Mar 2010

72000 mi

US $586
Front and rear engine mounts broken 
Mar 2012

90000 mi

US $900
Main blower motor and resistor plus rear resistor. Second time for rear resistor. 
Jul 2013

101700 mi
Battery was dead, had to jump start car. Had battery replaced at Sears. Dead batteries are an on going issue with this car. 
Acura MDX in California, United States
Sep 2009 - Jun 2011
Sep 2010

155000 mi

US $1500
transmission had to be replaced; dealer wanted too much for it between $3700-$4500; so family friend replaced the transmission himself; overall cost was $1500 
Acura MDX in Massachusetts, United States
Dec 2009 - Sep 2015
Mar 2010

83000 mi

US $900
New power mechanism for front seat due to broken seat trim side clips on engine broken 
Jun 2010

86000 mi

US $240
Replaced driver's side foglight bulb Center vent tab broken; needed to be replaced 
Oct 2011

104500 mi

US $800
Replaced outer tierod and front compliance bushings 
Nov 2011

105000 mi

US $400
Replaced CV shaft 
Feb 2014

134000 mi

US $850
Had leak in power steering hose. Also had to replace power steering pump 
Acura MDX in California, United States
Mar 2011 - Jun 2016
Jun 2016

135000 mi

US $850
Back seat AC unit replaced; full unit repaired leak and recharged. 
Acura MDX in Michigan, United States
Apr 2011 - Jul 2013
Jun 2011

181000 mi

US $2700
Transmission slowly deteriorating over several months. Shop (Mulistate transmission in Madison Hgts, MI) rebuilt it. Running fine now. 
Acura MDX in California, United States
Jun 2011 - Dec 2012
Jul 2011

59000 mi

US $786
a/c blower mtr broken antenna 
Acura MDX in South Carolina, United States
Sep 2011 - Mar 2015
Nov 2011

165000 mi
Broken CV axle on right front. I'm having to wait for my paycheck to have repaired. 
Acura MDX in Colorado, United States
Nov 2007 - Mar 2010
Dec 2007

78000 mi

US $120
Replaced starter Rear blower doesn't work. $400 to fix. Not fixed at this time. 
Acura MDX in Massachusetts, United States
Jan 2011 - Mar 2011
Mar 2011

163000 mi

US $4850
Transmission failure. New transmission, torque converter, installed larger transmission cooler. Replaced damaged RR wheel bearing and speed sensor. 
Acura MDX in Alberta, Canada
May 2009 - Jun 2011
Jun 2009

96100 mi

C $5000
Rear passenger window motor failed. Relatively easy to replace - cost of new motor from US dealership approx 180.00 and an hour of labour.  Rack and pinion failure, blown power steering pump, various bushings, fittings, on front end.  
Apr 2010

105400 mi

C $150
ERG sensor tripped check engine light. Reset with OBDII tool and no problems since.  
Jun 2010

105400 mi

C $3500
Total transmission failure. POS stranded my wife on side of road. No gears at all working. US car in Canada - Dealer can't confirm part number will work. Got rebuilt transmission from USA.  Total transmission failure. POS stranded my wife on side of road. No gears at all working. US car in Canada - Dealer can't confirm part number will work. Got rebuilt transmission from USA.  
Acura MDX in New Mexico, United States
Aug 2010 - May 2016
Dec 2013

122000 mi
Replaced hatch struts. 
Acura MDX in Georgia, United States
Jan 2010 - Dec 2013
Feb 2010

85000 mi
The starter sounds strange like it was still running after the engine turned over. They replaced the starter. A/C not pulling humidity out of the air for heat and doesn't cool. 
Mar 2010

86000 mi

US $200
Torque converter replaced. a/c compressor was bad. 
Acura MDX in Missouri, United States
May 2010 - Mar 2013
Feb 2013

125000 mi

US $600
Waterpump was leaking and had to be replaced. It was replaced at 90,000 miles previously. 
Acura MDX in New York, United States
Mar 2010 - Sep 2016
Feb 2012

61900 mi

US $500
Starter was not fully disengaging. 
Aug 2016

85000 mi

US $350
Rear window did not close 

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2003 Acura MDX 4-door

6-cylinder automatic AWD

Acura MDX in California, United States
Oct 2012 - May 2013
Apr 2013

285000 mi

US $2000
Replaced radiator & timing belt 
May 2013

290000 mi

US $2000
Replaced seal 
Acura MDX in Oregon, United States
Nov 2007 - Mar 2010
Oct 2008

91000 mi
Starter for engine needed lube. 

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2003 Acura MDX Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2003 Acura MDX problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.